Striking from the Top!

Get the Point!

Yesterday in Atlanta, the Florida A&M University Rattlers, champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), capped a magical 12-1 season by defeating Howard University, the Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference champs, 30-26 in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. 

FAMU Head Coach Willie Simmons and Assistant Coach Antonio Carter are doused with Gatorade after yesterday's exciting win over the Howard Bison!

A crowd of nearly 42,000 fans that included (below) Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard alumna) and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (Morehouse alumnus), watched at rapt attention as the Rattlers were named the undisputed champions of Black College football for the first time since legendary Coach Billy Joe led the Rattlers to the top in 1998. 

The Rattlers defense celebrates after a key stop of the Bison offense in the 4th quarter…

Now, the FAMU faithful in the stadium and watching live via ABC television had a few anxious moments yesterday, particularly early in the first quarter when Howard jumped out to a surprisingly quick 14-0 lead.

Howard University running back Eden James (#5), son of NFL Hall of Fame Edgerrin James, picks up some tough yards against the vaunted FAMU “Dark Cloud Defense” early in yesterday's title game…

But with a nod to former Heavyweight Champ Mike Tyson's famous quip that "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth," well, it was clear that Coach Willie "Shotgun" Simmons surely had a plan, one that included calming down his team so that they executed his game plan on offense and defense—as they have to victory in each game this season with the exception of a relatively close 38-24 loss to South Florida, an FBS team that took the playoff bound Alabama Crimson Tide to the wire the very next week. 

While my blood pressure shot high when the Rattlers let a 24-16 lead evaporate into a 26-24 deficit in the middle of the 4th quarter 😆, staying true to the social media mantra "In Shotgun We Trust," the Rattlers offense, led by SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Jeremy Moussa, calmly marched right down the field in a drive that culminated with Moussa's 38 yard touchdown strike to senior receiver Jah'Marae Sheread.

FAMU receiver Jah'Marae “K-Dot” Sheread celebrates his game winning touchdown in the 4th quarter…

As the confetti fell and FAMU celebrated what is now the school's 16th National Championship, I took a moment to reflect back on the outstanding job that Coach Willie Simmons has done since being hired back in December of 2017. I remember all too well the multiple years of mediocre to substandard play on the gridiron before Simmons was hired, and having watched the Quincy, Florida native's rise from assistant coach at several schools to head coach at Prairie View A&M with great interest, I sensed that former Athletics Director and Hall of Fame Rattler John Eason hit a home run by handing him the keys to the FAMU program six years ago.

Hobbs and Coach Shotgun at the preseason football banquet circa 2019

Well, my senses were right, which is why I give mega kudos to Coach Shotgun, his ace recruiter that keeps the shells (new talent) reloaded, Devin Rispress, and the entire FAMU coaching staff for their efforts in molding young men into student-athletes that dominate in the classroom—and on the field of play!

A few more pics from the Celebration Bowl:

Young Shailoh Simmons, daughter of Coach Willie and First Lady Shaia Simmons, is all smiles as she chats with Vice President Kamala Harris and Attorney Benjamin and Dr. Genae Crump during yesterday's game…

FAMU Football Recruiting Director Devin Rispress and star receiver Marcus Riley, proud graduates of Rickards High School, reppin’ Tallahassee Southside after yesterday's win…

Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson and First Lady Sharon Robinson celebrate the University's 16th National Championship…